Crusader benefits from Pink Ribbon Debit Card

Riverside Community Bank launched a Pink Ribbon Debit Card May 8 with a portion of the proceeds from the card to benefit Crusader Community Health.

Gina Caruana, Riverside Community Bank’s vice president/retail manager, explained: “It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 200,000 will be diagnosed this year. The good news is that when breast cancer is detected in the early, localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Riverside Community Bank wants to help give every woman in the Rockford community access to the tests and screenings that can save lives.”

Joan, a Crusader Women’s Center patient, is one such woman whose early screening may have saved her life. Joan was already utilizing Crusader’s services for previous medical issues when a clinical breast exam discovered several masses in one of her breasts. She was able to receive a mammogram and surgical biopsy was performed. Thankfully, the results showed no cancer.

“Being aware of what’s going on in my body is a tremendous asset to my future health,” said Joan. “Knowing that the resources at Crusader are available to help me stay healthy is invaluable.”

When Riverside Community Bank’s Pink Ribbon debit card is used for signature-required, credit transactions, a portion of the fees collected will benefit the Crusader Community Health Women’s Center, where women can receive clinical breast exams and preventive care at an affordable cost. The money will help increase access for low-income women who are eligible for Crusader Community Health’s sliding fee scale.

Nancy Halverson, chief quality officer for Crusader Community Health said: “The lack of access for these preventative services is demonstrated by a waiting list of more than 200 women for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program coordinated by the Winnebago County Health Department. That program provides our low-income female patients with the breast exams they need.”

Crusader Community Health is one of 1,200 community health care clinics in the country. Last year through its four locations, it served 44,684 local residents, many of whom were women and children. Crusader’s mission is to provide high-quality health care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Visit www.crusaderhealth.org for more information.